Counseling Toward Solutions: A Practical, Solution-Focused Program for Working with Students, Teachers, and Parents

by Linda Metcalf

This book provides a solution-focused approach to working alongside students, parents, and teachers that decreases misbehaviors, encourages mental health and growth mindset in students, and provides social emotional learning opportunities. Grounded in the notion that focusing on problems often leads to frustration when tried and true remedies fail, the book provides an efficient and simple three-step approach to having solution-focused conversations with students, parents, and in response to intervention (RTI) and team meetings. This systemic approach enlists the client rather than the counselor to conjure a preferred plan for success, consequently reducing future counseling visits and promoting independent success in students. Each chapter includes a specific topic that was developed from the issues and situations faced by school counselors today, including consideration for working with all students, including LGBTQ students, and those with traumatic experiences or substance abuse. Complete with specific dialogues for students of all ages, and case studies, this text provides school counselors with a road map to looking beyond problems and seeking solutions with students, creating grit and resilience.

Genres: Counselling

214 pages, Hardcover

First published December 27, 1994

About the author

Linda Metcalf, Ph.D., is a former Classroom Teacher, Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is the author of ten books on solution focused therapy. Her research interests include relationship building between teacher and student, the use of solution focused therapy in regard to special education referrals, sexual abuse and addictions. Dr. Metcalf has presented her work extensively throughout the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Norway, Germany, and UK. She is a Professor in the Department of Education at Texas Wesleyan University, and Coordinator of the School Counseling Program. She is also the President of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Reviews

[Kathy Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was filled with wonderful ideas for teachers.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait to try some of the techniques with my students!